Im absolutely scared outta my mind as i approach my quit date of 01/01/2018

[Sjackson9]

I desperately need some encouragement as I approach my quit day. 01/01/2018. Am I THE only one who has or had anxiety before my quit date?

[elvan]

Remember that we are all here for you and we all want you to be successful...every one of us.  We will help you in any way that we can, clearly, we cannot do this FOR you but you can have the gift of our collective experience....

Ellen

[freeneasy]

Remember that much of what you love about smoking is keeping the nicotine level up so you don't go into withdrawal.  You're also taking away the habit part, like smoking when you wake up and after eating and so on. It's a leap of faith but you'll get past "loving smoking" and move on to a better life smoke-free.

[bonniebee]

@Hi Jackson ,Welcome to Ex you are in the right place ! So many comments and helpful suggestions above ,so short and sweet ......You would be amazed at how powerful positive thinking can be ! Every time you feel fear or anxiety about  quitting ,combat it with a positive thought, do not allow fearful thoughts to remain ...they will return but diligently push them out of your mind . Know that your addiction is talking . I call it the nicodemon ! Kick him out every time and tell yourself you are quitting whether he likes it or not !  Be excited about your quit date and as someone above said you own the date ....you can change it if you need more time to prepare ! 

               Merry Christmas to you !

[JonesCarpeDiem]

/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months 

[Sjackson9]

No you're NOT alone in your feelings. I'm right there with you.  I PROMISE!

[Daniela2016]

Not much to add, really but say congratulations on your decision!

You are here, follow the steps to prep for the big day, and just jump into with a feeling of pride and joy for what you are doing!

We all said we "like to smoke", it is not true at all, we need to smoke while addicted, to satisfy the nicotine receptors.

I used to cry and say I lost my best friend, and please believe me I am more than a mature woman, and I was believing the lie...

You can do it, we've all been through it, it is feasible, you seem to have the resolve for this to be your last quit; don't fight it, embrace the challenge, and soon enough you will start developing the self esteem which comes with achieving such awesome goal.

We are here, we'll help by sharing our own experience, the knowledge we acquired right here, on this site, it is a wealth of experience in quitting, assembled all together for every one's use!

[Roller831]

Please read For Our New Years' Quitters (and community members, too) .  There is lots of good info there!

Welcome!  I know when I first found this site, many Elders told me to read read read….and I did.  Elders are those with one or more years of being quit.  If you like what someone has to say, then you may want to read their blogs.  I have some listed below.

A list of our Elders  ELDER'S LIST 

One of the first things I read was Alan Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking.  I purchased the book on CD and listened to it in the car on my way to and from work for 3 weeks over and over again.  It was well worth the money because this is my forever quit.

Your Quit Kit is very important those first few days and weeks Quit kit !

So here's the thing.....and you may not like what I am about to say....and that's ok.  I get it.  You need to accept that this is an addiction.  Before you do that, it will be much more difficult to quit and stay quit. 

Read read read.  Do the steps to PREPARE yourself to quit.  Do the steps so you are PREPARED on quit day and for the days AFTER quit day.  

Some of the things I read in my first few days that helped me:

Dale’s Welcome to New Members My Welcome To New Members (10 Years Of Watching) 

Youngatheart.7.4.12 Nancy’s Blog 101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - Check out her other blogs as well since she is one of our wise Elders!

jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007  Dale’s Blog What To Expect In The First Four Months which was already posted and linked to....this is a very good one as are his other blogs.

Visit Best of EX    

And read what has been posted there.

JACKIE1-25-15

Some of my favorite saying and abbreviations:

NOPE - Not one puff ever!

SINAO - Smoking is not an option

One step and then another will take you where you want to be - Larry, the Caravan Master (oldbones5358-Larry_10-21-2013 - read his blogs, too!)

I don't do that anymore! is a great one from Dale (jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007)

One of my favorite blogs is from my time in NML (No Man's Land - around Day 30-130 of your quit)  Not getting caught in NML - Staying Quit 

Keep this site close and keep posting and asking for help.  You will get it.  You will get things you like and things you don't like, but don't give up!!!  We have been through similar experiences and can share our strength and hope.  We are here to support you!

[Samsgurl2018]

Hi there, I can't really follow all the wonderful advice from all of the people here because they all were there for me. I remember my first post and how scared I was to quit. I'm only two months smoke free and it's not been easy but I have followed everyone's wise advice and I read Allen Carr's book which was the best motivator in the beginning. I don't know what it was but this book even now, has saved my quit. I used to be in that mindset of I loved smoking but I can tell you after a week, I noticed different changes were happening. It's been two months and major changes are taking place. I feel healthier and I can breathe. I haven't coughed but maybe a couple of times in two months. I used to cough so bad, I'd wake myself up! So now to add some of my advice. Read Allen Carr's book and make sure you keep it on hand even after you smoke that last cigarette. Stay on here and blog, ask questions, and read other blogs. And the one way I started off was I used nicotine patches. If you think they're expensive, go talk to an ex coach and they will help with free patches, lozenges, or gum. I took my time on each step and took longer on the 7mg because I didn't want to slip. I take buproprion twice a day and peppermint candy has been my best friend. I'm telling you, you won't regret your decision to quit because you will feel better and definitely save money. I downloaded an app called quit start and it even has a game to distract you. My teenage daughter also downloaded a game to keep my hands busy. I had to unlearn my habit and I used every tool out there. I even color in adult coloring books when I get cravings. If you need anything, feel free to message me or anything. We are all here for you!! 

Holly

[Giulia]

When I quit I couldn't handle thinking in terms of FOREVER.  That was way too scary.  I quit for Lent which made it much easier in the sense that it was a finite time.  It was also easier because I was holding myself accountable to a greater entity than myself.  I knew that I could quit for 40 days.  And although I gave myself permission to smoke at the end of that period, I knew also that I wouldn't - for the simple reason that after all that work, there is no way I was going put myself back to square one by sticking a cigarette in my mouth.  It was a psychological tool that worked for me.  If you can commit to a specific amount of time, you'll find it much easier to commit to Forever.

This is not to say that we don't need to take it one day at a time when the going gets tough.

[shashort]

Welcome to EX!  Wow you got lots of great comments above me. Don't really have much to add. I remember the beginning of my quit I was very nervous. I suggest you do lots of positive self talks for example say I know I CAN do this, the more you say that you will believe more into it. Never say can't or try.  Remember you CAN and WILL do this by taking it one day, hour, minute, or second.  Read as much as you can and get ready set go whoop Nico demon dude butt.  Oh yeah good sense of humor helps too.  Stay close if you are struggling come to us and blog HELP before you smoke (Can't emphasize that part enough) and you you be surprised how many people will come running.